Mark C.

SuperbFirst Hand Account

Revisado: 11-24-22

What an experience to hear about. Parkman was fully engaged at the very beginning of the American West ( and yet the beginning of the end). Here it is, beautifully written and narrated. For those interested in this period, this is pure joy.

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A Little Known Gem

Revisado: 05-02-21

The master narrates another master. Subject covers all the major criminals of the 30’s. Toland was such a great writer. I enjoyed every word.

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A Great Work of History, Observation and Scholarship

Revisado: 08-09-20

I’ve read this book a number of times prior to listening. I considered it one of those unknown gems that escaped a wider audience. It was a delight to see that someone else agreed and recorded it. Bourne was classically educated as one can tell in his writings. He also possessed great powers of observation and feeling, noting nuance and describing feelings evoked in him when pondering nature and man. He was also far ahead of his time in noting the terrible treatment of Native Americans. He was overwhelmingly loyal to his friends. We are fortunate to have such an articulate writer who lived at a pivotal time in the developing West. His personal friendships with the great personages and choice to copiously record things make him a treasure for me.

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Superb Writing and Narration

Revisado: 10-12-19

I’ve read and listened to this book and the series of Costain’s writings on this subject for many years. David Case, the narrator, makes this continuously fascinating. His voice alone is so wonderful that I’ve sought out many other audible recordings just to listen to him. And, Costain was a legend. There will never be another like him and what he did for these historical times.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Not For Amateurs, But Extraordinary Reading

Revisado: 09-17-19

Finally, a book for those who think they know everything. Assuming you have a good understanding of the Battle and its men, you should find this book to be the most compellingly researched book of them all.
Lacking from the author are his judgments of the men (for the most part) that permeate every other narrative), and the repetitive conclusions similarly found in other writings. Most of those books are written by professional book writers whose goal is to get a new book out every 2-3 years. Here, the thoroughly refreshing and often totally new evidence is presented to the reader. It is for you alone to make the call. This is not a common motif found in most history books, and certainly not in the contentious world of Custer and the Big Horn. While the author obviously leans in his own direction, he does so without trying to force his conclusions upon the reader.
Until this book, my favorite book was “Son of the Morning Star”
by Evan Connell. I felt Connell did a terrific job as he dismantled old notions, and injected new information into the saga. His writing was impeccable. One would have thought that to be the final word.
That is until this book. In my opinion, having studied the Battle and visited the Battlefield many times over the past 30 or so years) is that this book’s findings put everything ever written into the minor leagues. Without the need to repeat already known facts as nauseam, the author actually THOUGHT about what he uncovered. He had the ability to look for evidence that many others wouldn’t dream of looking for and then focusing his extraordinarily acute mind upon his findings that convince me that he is correct. To repeat, he allows us to decide, but what he found at least left me convinced he was right.

Finally, another point to make that supports his work is that this book was not finished and published until long after he died. He was not in a rush to sell. His job seemed to be one of meticulous and thorough scholarship. Perhaps he didn’t care whether or not he made any money? It’s clear though that whatever he finally wrote passed his serious standards. He had so much more to write on the ancillary topics (Terry and Gibbons, for example) but did not live long enough. But I am so happy his family published this incredible work of rather revolutionary scholarship. It will be my go-to book on Custer from now on, unless or until his family finds more work of his to publish. It’s THAT good.

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Superb in Every Way

Revisado: 11-22-18

I could not stop listening to this book. The story is never boring. The narrator is perfect. I learned so much more about Vietnam and the scenes behind the war. The moral is profound. This one is easily in my top five of all time. None are better.

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Excellent Aspects of Lincoln and Well Narrated.

Revisado: 10-10-18

I fully enjoyed hearing about the conversion of the dubious and better experienced Cabinet members into worshippers of Lincoln. It greatly underscored from an entirely new angle the greatness and remarkable character of Lincoln. Their words and actions spoke greater than any editorializing many Lincoln biographers have felt compelled to do.
The book is so good that I’ve begun reading Hays’ and Nicolay’s biography of Lincoln, and intend to read the diary of Gideon Wells, acknowledged as a great source of insight into our 16th President.
To me, Lincoln is a lesson giver and compass to live one’s life by. This book only reinforces that.

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Never Enjoyed Anything Better

Revisado: 07-09-18

The entire series should be the starting point (and could suffice to be the ending point) as the basis for all one should know about history. The scope and connectivity between man and his ideas across the millenniums is so wonderfully framed by this great scholar and writer. Eras I never thought I’d be interested in come to light.
The lifetime work of the Durant’s was and is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received. It’s hard to believe anyone capable of doing what they did for the benefit of Western mankind.

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Writing as an Art Form

Revisado: 12-19-17

I am struck by the beauty of Blevin’s writing. His use of metaphors, in particular, is genius, and entirely necessary to make this book meet the gold standard. He is precise, poignant and fascinating. The narrator could NOT be better. This is the second time I’ve listened to this book because of the writing and narrator. I picked it up again after about a year. It had me lost in the canyons, river beds, deserts and mountains of The West. I was chased by Indians, attacked by grizzlies and was a party to countless adventures. Maybe I need a life, but for me, this is Audible at its best. I must say that “Son of the Morning Star” also competed at this level in the audio realm. If you like The West, both these books and their narrators are all you’ll need for starters.

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The Other Side of the Story

Revisado: 09-27-17

This is a fantastic book. It is the story from a German submariner's perspective and experiences. That is a rarity in current WW 2 literature, I've found. His ability to describe even the most mundane-seeming moments makes the book continuously enjoyable. He was also quite a character himself, adding to the book's appeal to me. In addition, the author's promise from the outset to tell the truth about the people and events connected to U-Boat 505 and his service in it is fulfilled throughout. This bit adds to the strength and draw of his character. I came away genuinely impressed and with a somewhat revised definition of what I'd thought a typical German/Nazi military member was comprised. Now, when I go to Chicago and make a special trip to view his submarine on display, the experience will be unlike almost any other. I'll be feeling his presence and that of the crew and it will bring to life what would otherwise have been just another piece of military iron and steel memorabilia.

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